alWahid

Al-Wahid, meaning “The One” or “The Unique” in Arabic, is an epithet of God in Islamic thought. It is traditionally included among the names known as the 99 Names of God (Asma' al-Husna), though the Qur’an does not provide a fixed list and different Islamic scholars have compiled varying sets. The root word wahhada conveys unification; Wahid (waḥid) means “one,” while Al-Wahid emphasizes God’s absolute unity and uniqueness, indicating that God is not a composite and has no equal.

In theological terms, Al-Wahid underscores tawhid, the central doctrine of Islamic monotheism. God is understood as absolutely singular, self-sufficient, and unlike anything in creation. The attribute serves to distinguish the Creator from creation and to affirm that there are no partners or likenesses to God.

In practice, Al-Wahid appears in liturgical phrases, devotional prayers, and religious poetry, and the name is used in Muslim communities as part of personal names. A common form is Abd al-Wahid, meaning “servant of the One.” Some communities also encounter Al-Wahid as a standalone given name or as part of longer honorifics.

In Sufi and broader philosophical discussions, tawhid is explored in various dimensions, from the affirmation of divine unity in outward creed to more nuanced spiritual interpretations of unity with the divine. Across traditions, Al-Wahid remains a concise reminder of God’s ultimate and indivisible oneness.